Just Call Me Snap

I think I mentioned that our company picnic was over the weekend and that I was its official photographer.

One of my favorite places in St. Louis – or anywhere for that matter – is Kiener Plaza. It’s a truly beautiful place. Sometimes in the nice weather I sneak over to the amphitheater and have lunch.

That was the site of this year’s picnic. Our company took over the whole thing. I mean, literally took it over. It was a Sunday, so downtown was quiet, especially since baseball season didn’t go into the playoffs this year. There was a whole bunch of food under a catered tent. There were also cart vendors situated throughout the plaza with brats, popcorn, cotton candy, peanuts, and ice cream. A pretty amazing spread.

A few tourists wandered in (it is in the shadow of the Arch and just across the street from the historic Old Courthouse) but you had to have a name tag and a bracelet to get or food or beverages so it wasn’t a problem.

That it’s a location which attracts more than its fair share of the downtown homeless had many people concerned. They needn’t have been. Oh, there were a few but security shooed them away. (Made me feel bad but that’s a whole ‘nother issue.)

And the weather? Oh. My. God. Sunny and 80+ -- in OCTOBER! Mother Nature is working overtime to redeem herself for all of her indiscretions in the spring and most of the summer.

In just a few hours’ time, I managed to snap more than 200 photos. I spent some of last night and today going through them. There were just way too many cute damn kids! They make up the bulk of the photos I shot. That’s due in part because there were so many things for the kids to do. (For privacy reasons, I’m going to share just a few shots of anonymous kiddos.)

It’s not every day you get a pony ride, much less one with the Arch looming behind you.

And how often do you get to stand or dance in the middle of fountain? Or just be a princess? And candy? Buddy, we had you covered!

Want to try on a new face as you decided what to be for Halloween this year? We even gave young'ns that option, too.

I'm not jealous of the pony, the candy, or the costumes (OK, maybe a little) but the one thing these kids probably all have in common that I wish I had in common with them? A nap. I'm in need of some serious Zs!

All the running around, the work at home, and a late night last night is catchin' up with me. Here's hoping for a nice, quiet evening.

Yeah, right ...